NBA Despite poor play, Knicks even series N.Y. bottles up Heat center Alonzo Mourning and plays gritty defense. Hardaway still nursing injured foot MIAMI -- Heat guard Tim Hardaway played a portion of Game 2 on Tuesday despite nursing a sore left foot. He sat out the first-round series against Detroit, but the foot still bothers him. Gary Shelton Always moving forward Kaleb Dees, son of an Olympic hurdler, has Down syndrome. With his mother's constant support, he is finding joy running, too. [Times photo: Mike Pease] Kaleb Dees readies for a training session.

Opportunity botched [AP photo] The Rays take a 3-0 lead but their offense wilts and bullpen fizzles in a 4-3 loss to the Yanks. Story For one day, student is foe NEW YORK -- Coming back to New York and seeing the old faces and familiar places wasn't that big a deal for first-base coach Jose Cardenal. Bulls keep first as a birthright Ever since Durham became the Devil Rays' Triple-A affiliate in 1998, the Bulls have just about owned first place. Durham won the International League's Southern Division in '98 with an 80-64 record and repeated last season with an 83-60 record. This season, it appears as if the Bulls are on their way to a third straight division title.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
This week shrimp boats invaded our local waters some 20 miles from shore, producing large blackfin tuna, smoker kingfish and sharks. These gamefish will hover in the shade of boats, making themselves an easy target. When working one of these vessels, troll your baits as close as possible to the shadow line. This tactic will lure an impressive catch.

NFL
Super Bowl ticket lottery deadline is set for June 1
It's not too late to enter the NFL's lottery for tickets to Super Bowl XXXV, which will be held at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.

Arena football
Kaleo, Cobras provide relief
Was it Carolina, an expansion team? Was it a porous defense that played off the receivers? Was it the Storm finally jelling? Or was it the quarterback?

Soccer
Forward question cropping up again
To Mamadou or not to Mamadou? That is the question.

Colleges

• Carter learning quickly
  Senior sprinter Tonya Carter doesn't try to run a fast one by you, even though she undoubtedly could.
• Memphis sweep's a team effort
  TAMPA -- With the Conference USA baseball tournament beginning May 17 in St. Petersburg, the Bulls (27-24, 13-11 in C-USA) received a jolt of momentum with a three-game sweep at Memphis last weekend.
• It's official: Harvey is gone
  The forward is entering the NBA draft after one season at Florida.
• No hurry to fill two scholarships
  GAINESVILLE -- Basketball coach Billy Donovan will not scramble to fill the scholarships left vacant by underclassmen Mike Miller and Donnell Harvey for next season.
• Saint Leo pitcher named conference player of the year
  SAINT LEO -- It wouldn't be the best softball season in Saint Leo history without Desiree Croteau. So it was only appropriate that the Sunshine State Conference name her player of the year Tuesday.

Preps

• Zephyrhills: A long way, finally back at state
  The Bulldogs revert back to home-run bashing and set a state record to top Sebring 6-3 for first state trip since 1970.
• Three bombs give Bulldogs record (for now)
  ZEPHYRHILLS -- All season long, Zephyrhills has chased Merritt Island's record for most home runs in a season.
• Lancers season ends at hands of All Saints'
  WINTER HAVEN -- This was supposed to be Adam Rogers' day to shine.
• Panthers eye another upset
  TAMPA -- The Plant Panthers did what few thought possible Saturday afternoon: They beat second-ranked Countryside 4-2 and advanced to the final four.
• Lancers to face Florida's best
  TAMPA -- Seminole Presbyterian's three trips to the final four in the past four years have produced two Class A state championships and a runner-up finish. To get that far this time, the Lancers need to get past the state's No. 1 team.
• Return of seniors sparks Bucs to state
  Steve Gendron and Kris Courier, now healthy, help Berkeley Prep avenge a loss in the District 11 final and top Northside Christian 8-2.
• Hurricanes build their reputation in a hurry
  It began inauspiciously in 1996. Palm Harbor University opened its doors, and its athletic programs had the normal expectations for a new school: low.
• East Lake season ends in bottom of seventh
  The Eagles drop a 4-3 decision to Sarasota in the Class 5A region final on a bases-loaded single after making up an early two-run deficit.
• Tigers shake off skeptics, Hawks
  TAMPA -- A few weeks ago, Jesuit was 10-12.